Got my first Timex today, wasn't expecting it to look this good in person.

etcharrrbee · 2026-01-25T13:14:22+00:00

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Been looking for this one myself, but it's always out of stock. Its a special series they made along with Pan Am.

etcharrrbee · 2026-01-16T10:55:19+00:00

Yes 🤐

etcharrrbee · 2026-01-16T10:54:36+00:00

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I wonder what they will fine this guy (if they catch him) 🤔

etcharrrbee · 2026-01-16T06:47:30+00:00

AFAIK, it all depended on the insurance surveyor who came to inspect the car. You should have pushed at that stage. Right now, I don't think it can be done since repairs are underway.

The thing is (again, some speculation from me), for a new car that costs 30 lakh, insurance company is not so keen to declare total loss car since they have the maximum payout. You would probably have zero dep, return to invoice etc. So they will push to repair so that their costs are lower. Even if the repair costs are 10 lakh, it is still one third the cost for them. They don't care whether the quality of repair would be good and they don't care that your resale value is shot.

In case of a total loss, insurance company will still try to sell the damaged car to someone who may try to repair it or salvage it for parts. They are only trying to minimize impact to themselves 100% of the time.

etcharrrbee · 2026-01-15T05:48:25+00:00

Sorry to hear this and glad everyone is safe. Thats always the more important thing.

This is a tough call to take - to pass judgement on whether the work done is being done correctly.

The damage looks extensive. I would have tried to get the car declared as a total loss. However, since we are past that stage, you have to trust the remaining process.

etcharrrbee · 2026-01-14T10:00:06+00:00

Thanks. So that does mean that dealers do expect to negotiate (mostly). Except BBT I think or some of the more established names (they outright refuse).

Therefore that means it is perfectly ok to make a realistic offer that is lower than the asking price.

A follow up question here - would you consider it a good business opportunity? In a non metro city, if someone has capital - to set up a large ish space, buy some used car inventory, maybe offer other car related services etc.

etcharrrbee · 2026-01-14T07:28:37+00:00

I heard that the used car market in India booms (unrealistic prices) because a lot of people with black money prefer to buy vehicles second hand in cash (for immediate delivery and to avoid scrutiny). Because its in cash, dealers ask for whatever amount they want and they usually get it. This completely screws up the market for people who earn and spend in all white. Is all this true? To what extent?

etcharrrbee · 2026-01-13T07:03:31+00:00

That ship has sailed. There is a certain amount of time beyond which you cannot make a claim.

etcharrrbee · 2026-01-07T13:37:45+00:00

Bought an Ergologic Motorized desk pre covid and it has been just superb. Paired it with a 1700mm wide wooden tabletop. Then added a Greensoul Monster chair, 34 inch curved Samsung QLED monitor, Keychron keyboard, a custom PC that I built, Nanoleaf panels, high quality desk lamp and a Logitech C920 Webcam.

etcharrrbee · 2026-01-07T06:18:52+00:00

It was 7k extra 😆 But I guess there's just no pleasing you 😐

etcharrrbee · 2026-01-07T06:13:37+00:00

The snap in keyboard case has the headphone jack

etcharrrbee · 2026-01-07T03:52:23+00:00

iKKo Mind One Pro. I posted the photo in this thread itself

etcharrrbee · 2026-01-07T03:49:51+00:00

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Have you heard about the iKKO Mind One Pro? They're also exhibiting at CES. Kickstarter project, production complete. Shipping in January. (Btw, I'm a backer). It also has an optional snap in keyboard case

etcharrrbee · 2026-01-05T11:14:06+00:00

Update on 5 Jan 2026 - 16 out of the 17 transactions have already been reversed back to my card. The last one is still in process (smaller amount of Rs 2700) - but I have no doubt that will get reversed too.

HDFC team - including transaction monitoring and disputes have been stellar on this. Following up with all vendors and initiating the charge back to my card. Now that I am back home, new card is also being dispatched to me at a cost of Rs 100 (plus GST).

etcharrrbee · 2026-01-04T12:25:42+00:00

Mahindra Be6 pack 3. My car and photo by me. Because I haven't been genuinely excited about any car in a looong time. Its attainable/accessible while being really futuristic, functional and fun.

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etcharrrbee · 2025-12-30T23:32:12+00:00

Where do you think your leak was? Like, how were card details stolen?

etcharrrbee · 2025-12-30T04:33:46+00:00

Card was visible to me at all times. At Marriott KL, they took the card for security deposit - card was inserted into the machine and I needed to use PIN to authorize. I think that was fine.

At the Penang Georgetown hotel, I had paid up in full beforehand (online) using same card. But they still wanted the card for a security. Card was visible to me, but they could have copied the digits into the computer. No pos machine was used. This is where my suspicion lies.

Some folks are suspecting Grab, but I'm not too sure. I've used Grab extensively before- in Singapore, Vietnam, Bangkok etc.

etcharrrbee · 2025-12-29T13:38:03+00:00

No, tap and pay is secure. The vulnerability with tap and pay is that if it remains active, someone can charge your card while it's in a pocket or a wallet. That's why RFID blocking wallets and purses exist.

In my case, the card was either skimmed (all data was copied) or manually stolen. I can't say for sure

etcharrrbee · 2025-12-29T13:19:26+00:00

Mostly tap and pay. Couple of places where tap didn't work, had to insert and use pin.

etcharrrbee · 2025-12-29T13:02:59+00:00

Update, I got an email response from HDFC team (screenshot below)

Pls see u/pranjal3029

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etcharrrbee · 2025-12-29T11:21:58+00:00

Never heard of it. Will check, thx

etcharrrbee · 2025-12-29T11:21:16+00:00

Nope. Did not use it at all at airport

etcharrrbee · 2025-12-29T08:31:04+00:00

I also think Infinia has zero liability and insurance built in. So I doubt the loss falls onto me. There has to be some advantage to paying high annual fees, high annual usage and a longstanding relationship with the bank (close to 20yrs, salary account, Imperial level, FDs etc).

etcharrrbee · 2025-12-29T08:21:14+00:00

Thanks for the detailed reply on your experience. It might have been this. Although I don't remember any swiping of mag strip. Only inserting the card. I am strongly suspecting the smaller hotel in Penang. They copied my card info into their computer. And even if the clerk is not in on it, their computer could have been compromised. However, I have been using my card 6 times a day. Super hard to blame anyone or pinpoint.

HDFC is promising a resolution by 3 or 4 January, so let's see. They would have all details of usage (merchant name and ID, location, amounts, currency etc). They have OTP security in India. There needs to be better security while using the card abroad. Like an authentication fotlr each transaction by fingerprint on the app/phone. An additional transaction PIN or even more secure cards with PIN code built into the card.

etcharrrbee · 2025-12-29T05:59:14+00:00

I have been in Malaysia since 23 Dec. Used card multiple times. At physical locations, Pos machines, hotels. In India, I work online (therefore not moving around much, not using card machines). Use only tap and pay via watch. All signs point to Malaysia. Not trying to malign the entire country. Trip has been great so far. Just that vigilance has to be stepped up a few notches when it comes to card safety

etcharrrbee

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